Duckweed is a hardy floating plant that reproduces very fast; it can easily cover the surface of almost any aquarium within several days. Regular (weekly) removal of excess plants is necessary to prevent total coverage of the water surface. It is quite attractive when it occurs among other floating plants. Most aquarists acquire Duckweed as "hitchhikers".

It is a high nutrient-requirement plant, thus particularly useful in new aquaria and "natural" filtration of water; if this plant does not grow well, it is a certain sign of nutrient deficiency in the water.

I have salvinia minima as well and I found that it didn't really start growing until I upped my lighting from a 10watt 6500k CFL bulb to a 14watt 6500k CFL. I also started dosing Tetra Florapride (in addition to Flourish once a week) on a regular basis in that tank at the same time so I don't really know which really helped. Point is, after I made those adjustments, the top of my five gallon was literally covered in about two weeks.

A fast growing cold water plant. Elodea has been observed to melt when introduced to warmer environments without a transitioning process. Otherwise, once established it is a great addition to the aquarium and an ample nitrogen sink. The rapid and often messy growth of this species makes it undesirable in neater aquarium scapes.

The Brazilian Pennywort is a interesting species that send out large round leaves along a central stem. This species prefers to the grown floating, and does not root easily in the substrate. Floating pennywort plants will produce leaves with a more pronounced frilled edge.

A very hardy stem plant, this species has a tendency to grow in an odd angled slightly zig-zagging formation. Therefore, straight upward growth is impossible for this plant. This is a great plant to leave floating in order to provide cover and hiding places for fry, shrimps and other fish.

Hornwort is a stem plant but one that always floats and never grows roots. The stems may be grouped together and anchored to form a background plant, but portions of the stem buried in the substrate will die and the plant stems will float unless weighed down. Stems can reach a length of more than one metre (3.3 feet). The plant may form rhizoids that are not true roots but do serve to anchor the stem.

Green Myrio
similar to myrio, but the "needles" are singular and it is a darker green color. This plant cannot be planted in the substrate because it will rot. It has to be floating or tied to something. In low light, it lives but doesn't grow quickly.

A beautiful beginner's plant. This plant has rather humble leaves when grown emmersed, but once under water will bring out beautiful submersed frilly leaves. this plant does prefer some good light, but will do fine in low lighting. A variegated version is also circulating in the aquarium hobby.Photos▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄

Type: Rosette plant
Max Height of plant: -
Max width of plant: -
Leaf size: -
Minimum Lighting for growth: Low - medium
Growth speed: medium
Color: light green - green
Propagation: can be propagated by separating a baby plant from the mother plantOne of the most common aquarium species of sword plants and one of the most hardy and beautiful. Mid-green leaves numbering anywhere up to 30 arise from the crown and grow out in a fan formation. A deep substrate is needed (minimum 3-4 inches); the root system is large, and will spread vertically and horizontally through the substrate far from the plant.

Echinodorus plants are heavy feeders, and require regular fertilization with a comprehensive liquid fertilizer and/or substrate fertilizer. If the leaves develop yellowing or transparent patches, it is a sign of insufficient nutrients, sometimes but not always iron, as several nutrient deficiencies will cause these conditions. A balanced comprehensive fertilizer is much more preferable to iron fertilization.

E. bleherae will produce an inflorescence (flower stalk), sometimes two or three at the same time and up to six or seven each year, which grow to the surface but underwater develop plantlets from the nodes. It does not send out substrate runners. The plantlets may be detached as new young plants once they develop sufficient roots and leaves, usually within 2-3 months.
-contributor: ByronPhotos▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄

Amazon sword- There seem to be a few different types. I have one in my 10 gallon tank that only grew to be about 4 inches, but one in my 55 gallon tank is over 24 inches. I have 2 other plants that were called "Amazon Sword", but the leaves are shaped slightly differently. They are easy to take care of, and do okay in low-light.

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